Carnival Cruise Lines recently unveiled additional details of its $155 million makeover and transformation of the Carnival Destiny into Carnival Sunshine, which is expected to happen during a 49-day dry dock in Italy from February to April 2013.

The transformed ship will re-enter service in April with all of the dining, bar and entertainment features of Carnival’s Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement program, along with several exciting new features, the Miami-based cruise operator said.

Carnival Sunshine will sail a schedule of nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Venice from April to October 2013 then begin year-round seven-day Caribbean departures from New Orleans in November, the cruise line said.

Sunshine’s new highlights include a new racing-themed water park featuring Carnival’s longest water slide, the tropical-themed Havana Bar, a full-service Asian restaurant, and more.

To celebrate Destiny’s conversion to Sunshine, the cruise line has launched its “Bring Home Some Sunshine and Win” contest on Facebook, which runs through Nov. 22. A grand prize winner will be announced on Dec. 17.

Carnival Cruises Lines on Tuesday announced plans for a $155 million extreme makeover of its Carnival Destiny ship that’s set to begin next February

When the transformation is complete, Destiny will emerge as Carnival Sunshine, and will sport several new and unique onboard features, the Miami-based cruise operator said in a release.

Carnival Sunshine rendering, Carnival Cruise Lines/COURTESY

The 49-day dramatic overhaul will run through April 2013 and will include the addition of “Fun Ship 2.0 ” amenities as Guy’s Burger Joint and the EA Sports Bar, among other new eateries.

Carnival started to upgrade several ships with Fun Ship 2.0 amenities last year. The first phase of the multiyear enhancement initiative is expected to run through the end of 2015 at a cost of more than $500 million.

Several ships in its fleet are slated to receive many of the new enhancements during this period.

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri will complete Destiny’s major refurbishment and refit.

The ship, which currently sails from PortMiami, will also get a reconfigured layout, a new partial deck and two other decks in the ship’s front section will be expanded to allow for the addition of several other on-board spaces, Carnival said.

One-hundred and eighty-two new cabins, including 96 spa staterooms will also be added. Additionally all staterooms will be upgraded with a new tropical décor featuring bright colors and soothing pastels.

Other new and Carnival-branded eateries and entertainment options will also be added to the ship’s offerings during the massive renovation.

“This is our most ambitious ship conversion project to date and it will radically transform the Carnival Destiny into essentially an entirely new ship offering a variety of exciting dining and beverage choices, spectacular outdoor spaces and entertainment options, and on-board innovations not available anywhere else,” Carnival President and CEO said Gerry Cahill said in a statement.

After the extensive renovation, Carnival Sunshine will begin a series of nine and 12-day Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona and Venice April through October. Then in November it will be homeported in New Orleans where it will sail from year-round to the Caribbean.

The Carnival Victory will be relocated to Miami from San Juan to pick up the slot left by Sunshine, Cahill said in a phone interview. Carnival’s newest ship Carnival Breeze, will start sailing from the port in November 2012.

According to Carnival, here are some of Sunshine’s new features:

A full-service Asian restaurant inspired by the line’s popular Mongolian wok casual eateries , with no charge for lunch, but a nominal fee for dinner.

The Comfort Kitchen: Located in the Lido Marketplace, it will offer a tempting array of American-style “comfort food” entrees and side dishes.

Havana Bar, a tropical-inspired nightspot located aft within Lido Marketplace featuring a panoramic ocean view from its floor to ceiling windows and offering a unique and memorable venue for cocktails, live Latin music and dancing

New Sunshine Bar, an elegant lounge with sun-splashed interiors located at the lobby level of the ship’s towering atrium.

A new cigar bar concept offering fine cigars and a variety of brandies, cognacs and liqueurs, ideal for pre- or post-dinner drinks and conversation.